Elongatus Mpanga / Namalenje

[mark7616]

Hi I have 6 Pseudotropheus Elongatus and I recon that 3 are Mpanga and 3 are Namalenje.

Here is a pic the small one on the left is definately mpanga I just recon that the larger one on the right is Namalenje what do you think if not what do you recon it could be I dont think its mpanga do you???

 

[Ferris]

I agree - it's almost certainly not a Mpanga. I'd go for either Namalenje or Chidunga.

 

[mark7616]

Yeah I think its the Chidunga not bad although two are really dark do not show stripes im thinking I have 1m 2f

 

[Ferris]

Nice fish and quite different to the Mpanga in appearance - makes a nice contrast.

 

[denis coghlan]

Morning,

IMO i think its a mpanga. After breeding these guys I have noticed that there is a massive variation in the offspring in terms of the vertical barring and over all colouration. Some are dark some are light, some have tight, even and numerous barring while some have sparse uneven barring. I had a look at the Namalenje on cichlid forum and I don't think its the same species but as for the "Chidunga" I had a look around on the net and couldn't find any pictures to compare and contrast it with. If someone can post a link I might withdraw my opinion that its a mpanga but until then I sticking with it as the species.

Just out of interest I managed to find a good picture of a WC female pseudotropheus elongatus mpanga, its the only one that I have located to date as all the others only the show the males. Just though it might be helpful as a reference.

Female mpanga

 

[mark7616]

I do think it is the chidunga as although mpangas bars can be uneven these bars faid out further back where as a mapanga still stays blue throughout the body.

 

[denis coghlan]

I do think it is the chidunga as although mpangas bars can be uneven these bars faid out further back where as a mapanga still stays blue throughout the body.

I dont agree, IMO the presence of the bars has to do with age, genetic quality and dominance of the fish. For instance I have a couple of pics showing different stages and presence of bars on male mpanga.

This pic shows good barring on a dominant male mpanga of good quality

Same fish but at a younger age, not how the bars have not developed as much as above

Sub dominant male showing good subdued barring

Very poor quality male showing poor barring and fading towards tail.

Also if you check out the profiles on cichlid-forum it also shows the the barring fades out towards the tail of the fish.

C-F.com Profile

 

[Ferris]

Here's a couple of Chidunga pics - there's not much info on the inet unfortunately.